Patent · US Expired

Reflecting and luminous layered material

US5315491A · kind A · utility

47Cited by
48References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 17, 1993
Grant dateMay 24, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 17, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B5/124
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Reflecting and luminous layered material is provided which combines the advantages of a light reflective component and a luminescent component. The material includes a first layer of prismatic light reflective plastic material having an underlying surface formed with a plurality of minute prism-like formations projecting therefrom at regular spaced intervals and an overlying substantially smooth light transmissive surface. The material also includes a second layer of plastic luminescent material attached to the underlying surface of the prism-like formations. The layers are joined at a first region as by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, sewing, or stapling into a unitary structure such that the prism-like formations are substantially destroyed. A second region is thereby defined at which the first layer and the second layer are physically distinct. An electroluminescent lamp is received in the second region and can be selectively energized. When the lamp is energized, its light radiates through the underlying surface of prism-like formations and through the smooth light transmissive surface. Simultaneously, reflected light from the prism-like formations partially energizes the sec…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.